I’m posting this on January 2, 2016 and since it’s become common to end the year with posts summarizing it, I’ve decided do it as well. Because I traveled more this year than most I thought I would do a post with nothing but pictures of the many campsites I had this year. Because I traveled so much, I had a whole bunch of them and this isn’t all of them, there were too many to include them all in one post!
Big Horn National Forest (NF) Wyoming
When I’m traveling into new areas, I’m pretty much blind when I get there so I have to discover it for myself. I’ve told you before how I use my Benchmark and DeLorme Atlas to find Forest Roads and just drive down them until I find I campsite. I almost always want to go back far enough that I won’t have anyone else camping near me, so in these pictures you’ll rarely see anyone else nearby.
Coconino NF, Sedona, Arizona
Rarely do I choose them for their beauty; instead they just happen to be along the way to my next destination. But, I’m going to that place because of its exceptional beauty so it works out that many of my camps are in beautiful areas.
Monument Valley–Arizona
Quite a few of these camps were just one night because I just got lucky to find them in the perfect place between destinations. Others I stayed at for a longer time, maybe even up to a week or two because I stayed there multiple times. The only exception was I stayed at the Moab camp for about a month while I waited for the weather to warm up and the snow to melt further into the Rockies.
Moab, Utah
It’s very easy to spend a month at Moab because it’s a great little town and has incredible beauty all around it. It has two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands NP) a great State Park (Deadhorse Point SP) and the Colorado River to play in and take photographs all around. Moab is a Nature Photographers and an Adventurers heaven on earth!!
West Yellowstone, Montana
Now, as you look at the photos, I hope you’ll compare the places I’ve lived in the last year with where you’ve lived. If you’re still living in a stick-n-brick house, where would you rather wake up every morning?
Prescott, Arizona
The same four, white walls on the same street with the same neighbors, going to the same job, watching the same TV shows, only to do the exact same thing you did yesterday–knowing you’re going to be there (or somewhere just like it) for the rest of your life? Or would you rather be a nomad, waking up in a new and stunning place whenever you chose in a new beautiful camp in a constantly different place with all new things to see and do?
Kamas High Camp, Utah
With the constant change of scenery there is no way you’re going to be bored or find life monotonous or tedious. Once you make the transition from a “time-clock” mind to a “wild” mind your eyes and senses will slowly be restored and you’ll be able to see the world around you and be amazed at how different each place is and how entertaining the differences can be. Cody and I take walks at every camp and the flowers, trees, soil, rocks, vegetation, animal life and even the sky is different at all of them and has a very different feel or vibe to it. It’s an adventure and a sustained joy to explore and connect to each one.
BLM Land, Cody Wyoming
Many of you feel the tug to live free and wild but you’re intimidated about some of the difficulties you’ll face. It’s true that there are many sacrifices to be made to live the life of a Nomad, but it’s my hope that seeing these many camps I’ve enjoyed this year will give you even a hint of how much more you get than what you give up.
Bear Tooth Highway, Montana
You’ll sacrifice the most unimportant and menial things in life and regain the most vital and essential thing in life, a connection to nature and through it to your true self. To me that’s worth any price!
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
So I hope you enjoy this little trip down memory lane of what was one of the very best years of my life and I hope it provides you a little motivation to do whatever it takes to live a true and authentic human life, the Nomadic life
Gardiner, Montana
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Gardiner, Montana
Thank you for sharing all of those photos with us. It is neat to see your year of camping in one post, visually. That white van of yours is becoming quite famous! 🙂 You are an excellent photographer, and I appreciate how much you share. I hope 2016 is even better for you!
Thanks Jim, very kind of you!
Bob
I agree, awesome photos! I really enjoyed the tour of Quartzite. I think the video will help people a lot. I know when I have went into an unknown area when traveling that one can end up panicked when everything is foreign to them. They recognize nothing and have no markers as to wear they are or where they are going.
Cathy, I know that feeling very, very well!! Glad the little video tour helped!
Bob
Awesome recap Bob! I’m drooling over these camp locations and hope this year I’ll be able to spend more time in these kind of places. 🙂
Also wanted to let you know I’m going to be “late” to RTR. My fridge died in TX and I’ve been waiting for the Casita factory to open up after the holidays to get it replaced and/or fixed. If they can get me in tomorrow I could theoretically make it by the work-camping seminar on the 8th but it’s 50/50 at best right now.
Thanks Becky! I saw on your blog that yo might be late–I’ll keep my finger crossed! Either way, it’ll be good to see you again!
Bob
Photos are awsome! Looks like you found the pot of gold in the picture of the end of the rainbow touching your van! Where is the leprechaun? LOL
Jeff, don’t tell anybody, but I’M the leprechaun!
Bob
Great recap Bob. Cheap rv living is the first email I always open, love to see your posts, there is always something I learn or enjoy.the photographs are spectacular, I am envious of all those beautiful campsites. I hope 2016 is even better.
Thanks Bob! I’m planning on another very good year!
Bob
Fantastic shots Bob! Thanks!
I noticed that when you took the shot at the Tetons you had the tent up. Does the forestry service or whatever mandate a tent? I ask because they do here in FL at Ocala. A tent must be up to stay overnight. They do not allow overnight camping in a van in dispersed locations. You are supposed to stay in the tent at night, but we have never been checked on after dark and stay the nights in the van.
Are they like that out west? So far in all our travels that was only mentioned to us at Ocala. Thanks.
Marshall, I just use the tent to hold my site and as a model for photos. I’ve never had to set up a tent as a condition of staying in a place but that is another reason to carry one just in case.
Bob
I await the continuation of your summer travel reports.
Al I’ve got some written and ready to go but things keep coming up and it gets pushed back. Soon though.
Bob
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! And the Wyoming pictures still call to me the loudest. Thanks again, Bob, for taking us along on your journeys.
Thanks Tammi!
Bob
Bob, I have a few questions.
1. I noticed that you have a tent set up in the first pic. What did you use it for? Was it worth taking and setting up at times? I am worried that it will take up valuable space and not really serve a useful purpose.
2. I know you camp on the BLM lands and such. Are you ever bothered by rangers, law enforcement, or other people that are out there also?
3. How much water do you keep with you and where did you replenish it along the way?
4. Was there gas stations within reasonable distances so that you didn’t have to constantly worry about running out of gas? You said that you would go back pretty far to some campsites and that could prove to be a problem if you were low on gas and the stations were far apart.
5. When you are out there do you use your bucket for going to the bathroom or just do the cat holes. And if you do use the bucket and trash bags, how do you store it till you get to a place to dispose of it?
I just have to say that you are in some beautiful places. I guess that for the little inconveniences or extra things or doing them differently is well worth what you get in return. I will see.
Steve, I’ll answer your questions in bold:
1. I noticed that you have a tent set up in the first pic. What did you use it for? Was it worth taking and setting up at times? I am worried that it will take up valuable space and not really serve a useful purpose. I only use it as a model for photos and to hold my space. If space is limited don’t take it.
2. I know you camp on the BLM lands and such. Are you ever bothered by rangers, law enforcement, or other people that are out there also? Not in the summer when I’m traveling because i never stay in one place long enough to be a problem. In the winter around Quartzsite it is a problem but I just go to where it isn’t.
3. How much water do you keep with you and where did you replenish it along the way? I carry 5-10 gallons and I’ll get it at convenience stores, ranger stations or anywhere I can. You learn to look around and find them. I also carry a filter and will get creek water at times.
4. Was there gas stations within reasonable distances so that you didn’t have to constantly worry about running out of gas? You said that you would go back pretty far to some campsites and that could prove to be a problem if you were low on gas and the stations were far apart. I keep the tank above 1/2 all the time and it’s never a problem. I do end up paying a lot for gas at times because it’s in the middle of nowhere.
5. When you are out there do you use your bucket for going to the bathroom or just do the cat holes. And if you do use the bucket and trash bags, how do you store it till you get to a place to dispose of it? I use the 5 gallon bucket and I just store it in garbage bags. It’s almost never mores than 5-7 days before I get back to town at least for the afternoon.
Bob, on the water subject ( # 3 ), what type of water filter do you use & where do U get it from ??
Thanks, Lucy.
Lucy, I like gravity water filters because they are so easy. I like the Platyus one, you can get it here: http://amzn.to/1R7OT4v
Thanks Bob, it seems an easy & uncomplicated system.
Lucy.
Thanks Lucy.
Bob
Thanks Bob, your answers were very helpful to me.
Glad to help Steve!
Bob
This post combines beauty, inspiration, and functionality in one excellent package. I particularly liked the first picture and the Sedona/Prescott ones. The video is useful in a big way.
I’ll join in to ask about the tent. I was startled that another commenter posted about tents being required in Florida. Any information on that front will help.
The video was especially helpful. With that much information, I could do a much better job of visiting Quartzsite than I actually did when I was there.
Thanks Calvin. Sorry, I know nothing about camping in Florida so I can’t help you there. I carry the tent as a model for photos and to hold my space while I’m gone.
Bob
Great idea to do the video and to include the map. Well done!
I’ll be there next year.
I think you’ll like it Mitchell!
Bob
Thanks for the informative and well made video on Quartzite; much appreciated!
You’re welcome Jeff.
Bob
ah, what a great camping year you have had. Thank you for sharing the photos, they are a great inspiration to get ourselves out there!!
Happy New Year!
It was a very great year Ming!
Bob
Some great spots. I’m especially interested in the spots around Moab as I may be there with my son in early June. Are there specific areas you’d recommend? I’m particularly interested in areas that I can get a 35-foot Class A into.
Walt, there are really very few dispersed cams left around Moab, the BLM is steadily closing them. If I were going there in June I was would go up into the National Forest in the Manti LaSal mountains just southwest of Moab.
That’s kind of what I figured. I’m hoping to meet up with a friend I haven’t seen in several years, and I’d like to avoid paying RV park fees if at all possible. Thanks.
Walt, I love boondocking so I almost never pay for an RV park. It’s much easier out west and may be harder back east.
Bob
Beautiful camping spots and locations. Thanks for putting things in perspective Bob. I’m Definitely stepping out of the rat race this year to finally enjoy spots like these! See you at RTR!
Good for you Kevin, I think you’ll be glad you did!
Bob
Love your campsites. What’s there not to like, right. I must have missed the Steamboat Springs post.
Thanks Teri. So many other things have come up as posts I haven’t done steamboat Springs yet. There are still three more posts to come before I am done with my 2015 summer travels. By then it will be time to start my new 2016 summer travels!
Bob
For added impact, after each campsite photo, look at a picture of the slums of Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, Toledo, Los Angelos, etc.
That’s a good idea tommy!
Bob
Bob, one thing does concern me. I am a bit of a worrier, and tend to over think think things at times. But, you stated that you sometimes get creek water and run it through your filter. Do you drink that water? I know that the Platypus GravityWorks Filter System filters out some things, but it doesn’t catch and purify it against everything. It is a good filter system but I personally wouldn’t drink the water from it. Unless you can test the water source to know what is it you are taking a big chance.
In this day and age there is NO WAY I would drink that water, even if you ran it through 5 of those filters. What you are doing is not purifying water. Only a water purification plant in a city or where ever is going to get water to a safe drinkable state,in my opinion. They are constantly testing the water and monitoring lots of different contaminants. I don’t care if you have lived next to the lake, stream, or whatever body of water for a long time, you have no way of telling what is in that water unless it is professionally tested.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, I just don’t know how you could trust that water.
If I am missing something here let me know. I am always open to learning new things. Maybe I’m not looking at this the right way.
Steve there is always risk in life and we are constantly forced to weigh the risk versus reward. Some people are more risk-averse than others, and no one is wrong, they just have different comfort levels with it.
Where I go I’m pretty remote and I feel pretty confident in the filter, so I accept the very slight risk of using it.
Bob
Awesome Photography BOB ..
Thanks!
Bob
Have you ever had problems with wild animals of any kind? I know it sounds silly, but that is the only reason i get afraid to go out alone.
Viviane, it isn’t silly at all, many people are afraid of animal attacks. The good news is that there is almost nothing to be afraid of. There are only a few areas where bears are a serious threat and it’s easy to avoid those places or to prevent the problem. The odds of being attacked by a mountain lion are so low that you can just put it out of your mind totally. The same with rattlesnakes, they are out there but the odds of you being bitten are extremely low. And if it does happen, you will probably just recover no problem.
With reasonable caution and prevention it is a non-existent problem.
Bob
My wire and I will be leaving for AZ in Feb. from St. Louis. fb page METAPHYSICAL MEANDERINGS
Have been camping for 50 years, now at 62 and 56′ respectfully, my wife and I are leaving in a used pop-up.
Hope to meander and see family, but especially want to experience that awakening.
See you on the road.
Robin and Deb
Robin, my camp is always open to you, stop on by!
Bob